Ampang jaya: A better understanding of the Rukun Negara is important to strengthen racial harmony and prevent identity politics from creating tension in society, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said. He emphasized that merely memorizing its five principles without understanding their objectives could cause Malaysians to miss the values they were meant to promote, particularly unity.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Amirudin added that this was important to ensure political and religious differences were not exploited to stir racial sentiment or other emotionally charged issues. He expressed confidence that a better understanding of the Rukun Negara, including its objectives, could help foster unity and reject identity politics that could cause unrest in Malaysia's multiracial society.

Amirudin illustrated his point by referring to the principle of Belief in God, relating it to religion. He noted that when diverse religious beliefs are understood as a means to promote unity and respect differences, the Rukun Negara becomes a comprehensive document. He made these remarks to reporters after officiating the MADANI Kita Bersama Komuniti Ampang Jaya programme.

He also clarified that including the Rukun Negara preamble and objectives in readings at official events was not intended to change its original principles, as claimed by certain quarters. Instead, the move was aimed at reviving awareness of the values and objectives behind the Rukun Negara. He stated that some critics have misunderstood the introduction of the Rukun Negara preamble or its objectives in such readings.

Amirudin emphasized that the first objective of the Rukun Negara is unity among people from different races. Attendees at the event included Deputy National Unity Minister Yuneswaran Ramaraj, Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman Alhadad, and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Mohd Kamri Kamaruddin.